GLass Child REGIONAL QLD TOUR
Glass Child is a documentary dance theatre work depicting the sibling relationship between Kayah, a young man with Down Syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah. It highlights their connection and how their lives have been affected by other people’s perceptions. The term Glass Child refers to the sibling of someone with special needs who often becomes a facilitator in the family, someone who is “looked through”. Kayah is Maitreyah’s oldest brother & was born with Down Syndrome. Throughout their lives, Maitreyah has watched him be left out, ridiculed, or ignored without understanding why. Glass Child puts a microscope on their love and how their relationship has grown. It questions how the rest of us behave when we find the difference we inevitably look for. It asks us to examine why we search for difference when we share so much in common.
The work is built on the personal stories of Kayah and Maitreyah, from the home to the schoolyard. Using dance, theatre and storytelling, Glass Child is honest, direct and has a powerful effect on its audiences, particularly local school groups whose students often recognise or relate to many of the stories. In an increasingly divided world, modern audiences crave true stories that connect us in a shared experience. The unique self-expression of Kayah and Maitreyah’s approach to dance transcends the subject matter, providing an exhilarating journey that binds us to them personally. Kayah's personal experiences growing up mean that he and Maitreyah understand the world and each other in complex and significant ways that resonate emotionally with anyone who witnesses it
This work is an intimate small scale work that has significant interest from regional QLD venues who believe that this is an important story for their communities. We realise that there are extra costs involved in touring work with people with special needs, but we are determined not to let that stop these voices from being heard. Our goal is to be able to raise enough money to cover remount and initial travel costs. Doing this would enable us to be able to offer this work to venues at a price that is just as competitive as any other show. These are stories that we want to share and with your help, we can meet our partners needs, and bring this intimate and touching work to regional Queenslanders.
“Glass Child is a brilliant, visceral, finely strung play, with that most rare of qualities, true emotional connection.”
“This is hands down the best piece of storytelling I’ve seen this year.”
“Kayah is a brother of blood, but also a friend I rely on to lift my spirits. Down Syndrome carries many challenges for him, but it gifts him a love that is truly majestic, he sees spiritual beauty in places where I do not, which in itself gives him a strength I will only know through him”
- Maitreyah Guenther
“When Maitreyah was a little girl and fell over I would help her up and now she helps me up. I want people to see inside me & Maitreyah, the love, frustration & anger. & the flower I have for her.”
- Kayah Guenther
Creative team
At The Farm work is made in a collaborative process where everyone brings their expertise without being confined to it. All animals are equal.
Created by: Kayah Guenther, Maitreyah Guenther, Kate Harman and Gavin Webber
Performed by: Kayah Guenther & Maitreyah Guenther
Direction: Gavin Webber & Kate Harman
Lighting Design: Chloe Ogilvie
Composer & Sound Design: Anna Whitaker
Set & Costume Design: Rozina Suliman
Animation: Rozina Suliman & Kayah Guenther
Glass Child was co-commissioned by HOTA with the support of Arts Queensland
The Farm are proudly supported by The City of Gold Coast and Arts Queensland.